Dream or Destiny is Launched!

We had a wonderful book launch party for Dream or Destiny yesterday. I was thrilled that so many of my friends seemed to really enjoy the readings, the door prizes, and the food.

Here are some photos taken by Margaret Jennings, my sister in Christ at All Saints Anglican Church.

I wish all of you could have celebrated with me, and I hope you will follow my blog book tour coming up in late October and early November.

Update … Any gurus out there?

My post Rules or Artistic License appears at The Blood-Red Pencil today. Do writers have to follow the rules or can they take artistic license? Check out the post for my take on the question.

Here at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye, I’m still tweaking. When I moved the blog, I ended up with more than 300 broken links. Some of them had probably been broken for awhile—they were external links in posts. However, I didn’t know they were broken until I added the Broken Link Checker plugin. All I had to do was tell Broken Link Checker to unlink, and the problem was solved—the text was saved but the link removed.

Other broken links were links to images in posts. The images seemed to be in the right place, and the links seemed to be right, but they just wouldn’t connect. So I uploaded most of the images again and deleted a few that I couldn’t readily find.

I’m still working on internal links in old posts. When I started the blog, I used the default WordPress permalink structure (date and post or page number). I later changed to date and title and had a plugin to redirect the permalinks; however, that plugin isn’t working here so I’m changing each link individually. I’m down to 42 broken links.

There are still a few glitches that I need to work out. I’ll appreciate any suggestions anyone can make.

• There seems to be a problem with the feed. When I used the FeedSmith plugin on the old theme, a loyal reader said she could no longer get my feed so I deactivated the plugin. I tried the FD Feedburner plugin when I moved the blog, and my Feedburner subscriber number jumped from fewer than 80 to nearly 150. However, it seemed that my feed was showing comments and not posts … so I’ve deactivated the plugin and am back down to 74 subscribers … but the feed seems to be working. If you are a subscriber, please let me know if the feed is working for you.
• Trackbacks are showing up in Recent Comments. All the repaired links are showing up as new trackbacks, so Recent Comments is full of old trackbacks instead of new comments. Does anyone know a way to exclude trackbacks?
• Gravatars disappeared from comments. I think this happened when I finally got Brian’s Threaded Comments working though I didn’t notice it immediately so it could have happened later.
• CommentLuv and Keyword Luv still aren’t working. I can’t figure out why … they just don’t work. Any ideas?

One thing can’t be fixed: I lost all my replies to a number of comments. I recently responded to new comments on a few old posts and was dismayed to find there were no comments from me to the dozen or more comments. It looks like the threaded comments disappeared so there may be other missing comments as well since some of my readers also replied in threaded comments. I hate to lose the conversation but am glad most of my readers comments are here.

Have you noticed any other glitches? Tell me about any problems you’re having here so I can resolve them—or at least try to.

My goal is to have the blog in tip-top shape before my blog book tour (October 27th – November 14th). I still have a couple of open dates if you’re interested in hosting me.

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty—I Will Do Something

When I applied to college many years ago, I was surprised to learn that I was entitled to financial assistance below our family’s income put us “below the poverty line.” I had no idea we were poor. We had plenty to eat, a safe place to live, and lots and lots of love.

Millions of people around the world live in poverty,  and they don’t have plenty to eat and a safe place to live. What is considered poor in our affluent country (still affluent compared to much of the world despite our current financial crisis) would be considered fabulously wealthy by people living in harsh and unrelenting poverty in third-world countries.

It’s easy to think the problem is so huge there’s nothing we can do. We can’t feed millions of hungry people, but we can improve the lives of one impoverished person or a small group of poor people. Volunteer at your local food pantry. Donate to an international relief agency. Participate in charitable activities of your church or organization. Make a microloan through Kiva.org.

Kiva allows individuals to make microloans to entrepeneurs around the world. You can loan money in increments of $25 to a specific entrepreneur profiled on the Kiva Web site. Your money is pooled with the money from other lenders and distributed to the entrepreneur through a field partner—a microfinance institution that handles the loan. The receipients of loans probably wouldn’t qualify for loans through regular financial institutions, and when you accept the Web site’s terms, you accept the risk that the loan may not be paid back. But the field partner for the loan I made has worked with more than 4000 entrepreneurs and has a default rate of 0%. I’ll wager that’s a lot better than most commercial banks experience!

When your loan is repaid, you can keep the money or make a loan to another entrepreneur. An investment as small as $25 could be loaned over and over again to make a difference in the lives of a number of individuals, their families, and their communities.

Maybe I can’t eliminate global poverty … but I can help one person become self-sufficient.

I am only one, but I am one. I can not do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I can not do interfere with what I can do. ~ Edward E. Hale

Thanks to September Commenters

Though I’m late thanking my September commenters, that doesn’t mean I appreciate you any less. It just means I’m behind. Thank you for continuing to visit and comment while I was revamping my blog.

I also want to thank the “silent readers,” those of you who visit and read without commenting. Joanna Young’s post In Appreciation of Silent Readers reminded me to let you know I appreciate you, too!

Top Contributor (9 comments)
kouji, A Haiku Poem Blog

Major Contributors (8 comments)
Wilson, Will You Mind
Jennifer, Uptake

Outstanding Contributors (3-7 comments)
Karen Swim, Words for Hire
Renae, Morning Coffee
Tertius, FreshUp
Amy Derby, Write from Home
Joanna Young, Confident Writing
Justin, Going Green, Green Experience
Melissa Donovan, Writing Forward
Rita, Rita’s Digest

Significant Contributors (2 comments)
A-1 Medical Supplies
Bonnie @ Data Entry, Data Plus+
Cath Lawson
China Company, Get Set Exchange
Jim Becker, Joomla Revolution
Justin @ Airsoft Pistols, East Coast Airsoft
Internet Business, First One There
Kevin, Logorama
Laura Spencer, Writing Thoughts
Linda Morton, Strategic Market Segmentation
Lori Widmer, Words on the Page
Mike Goad, Exit 78
MonaVie
Offshore Hosting, Trilight Zone
Robyn McMaster, Brain-Based Biz
Small Business Merchant Accounts, Merchant Hotline
Helen Ginger, Straight from Hel

Important Contributors
aircon, Repair Air Conditioning
Alina Popescu, Words of a Broken Mirror
An American in France
Andy@Manage Domains, nSym
Apple Baker, Laney Pottery
Autism Game, Pec’s Place
avatar community, Online Life
Banking, Canada Banks
Best Man, Ultimate Best Man Speeches
Bird Feeders, Birding Depot
Blogging Tips, Blog About Your Blog
Bluestocking, The Bluestocking Guide
Brad Shorr, Word Sell, Inc
Buy Essay
Captain Falcon
Casey Madaline, Bodylastics Reviews
Cher, The Texas Woman
Chris Hutcherson, Wikipedia-Josh Hutcherson
ClearView Writing
Curling Irons, My Hair Styling Tools
Custom Printing, Eman Printing
Dallas Web Design
DaMan, Hot Sports Shop
Davina, Loving Pulse
denana, Voucher Star
Diabetic Diet Sample
Diamond Stud Earrings
Diane , Her SCA Blog
DMC Annapolis, GEP Baltimore
Do Follow Blog List, Sites Reviewed
Ed, Educational Faculty Jobs
Equity Line Interest Rates
eulogy samples, Best Eulogy Speeches
Eve Guide, Guide Loft
Fat Foogoo
Fender Guitar, Gear Vault
Freelance Writing, Essay Writers
Funny T-Shirts & Blank Tee Shirts, T-Shirts T-Shirts T-Shirts
G1, Google Android G1 Phone
Great Wall of China
Gustav, Dentro De Mi
Harrogate Web design, Stag Marketing
Hummer H2 Forums
Invisiline, AntiBraces
Jake. Nonsense News
Jamie, Hazelhut
Jason, Support Cave
Jeanne Dininni, Writers’ Notes
Jen Brister, The Green Ninja
John Taylor, John Taylor’s Blog
Justin Wright, Life of Justin
Ken, Acne Help
Ken, Digital Overcast
Landscaping Wilmington
Laptop Covers
Larry, Damn I Need a Job
Mark, Ebiz Valuations
Mark, Analyzed Marketing Solutions
Mihaela (Mig) Lica, Online Public Relations
milo, New iPod Nano
Mobius, Web Tech Reviews
Neil, Write to Write
Oliver Carding, Tokyo Sound Lounge
Olly, JBO Solutions
Penny Bright, Thermaclear Reviews
Personal Loans, Rupee Times
philip tang, Anti Aging Duke
PR @ Social Bookmarks, PR Counter
Provilius Scam, Buzzle
Quotes from Science of Identity Foundation, Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa
Peter C, Budget Silk Wedding Flowers
plumbing ny, Karls’ Plumbing
Rainbow Painter
Resume, Best Sample Resume
Robert Hruzek, Middle Zone Musings
Ryan, Eurail Deals
Sam Vander, InHairIt
Sarah, Clothes Best
Science of Identity Foundation, Chris Butler Speaks
SEO Services, How to Do SEO
Simon, Pingable
Soham|Debt Collection, Discover Your Power
Spyware & Adware Remover
Susan Davis, Replica Watch News
Sydney Johnston, Bliss Plan
Tammy, Dedicated Writer
Tarot, Psychic Reading Online
Tech Blog, Tech Treak
tee shirt designs, 4 The Hood
Thomas SG, InHairIt
Tina, Charity Golf Tournament
Trent, Home Business
Totally Home, Totally Home
Travelinoma, Travelinoma’s Library
Andy, West Florida Components
Will, Buy Private Label Content

If I’ve overlooked anyone, leave a comment or send me an e-mail. And thanks again to both commenters and silent readers.

What I Learned from Stress

Some stress is good. Right now, I’m stressed as I plan my book launch party and schedule my blog book tour … and wonder if anyone will buy my book. That stress pushes me to be more productive so the launch of Dream or Destiny is a success.

Some stress is not good. In fact, it can be downright bad for both our emotional and physical health. Worry about the current economic crisis. Trying to meet unreasonable demands from clients. Computer crashes. Natural disasters. The death of a loved one. The breakup of a relationship. And on and on and on.

We can’t eliminate stress from our lives, and we can’t ensure that all stress will be good. We can, however, choose how to respond to stress. We can let it destroy our health and well-being or we can respond with resilience.

When I find myself getting frazzled over things that are beyond my control, I know that it’s time to recharge my spiritual batteries. I need to turn to God—to read His Word and talk to Him in prayer. Even in the most stressful situations, He will give me His peace that passes understanding.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

O MOST loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, give us thy peace that passes understanding, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This post is an entry in the What I Learned from Stress group writing project at Middle Zone Musings.

Post at The Blood-Red Pencil

I hope you’re reading The Blood-Red Pencil regularly. It’s a great blog with daily posts from a group of professional editors. My latest post there is When Should I Start Editing?

Book Launch Party for Dream or Destiny

I know most of my readersare far away from San Antonio, Texas. Even so, I want to extend an invitation to anyone in the area to celebrate the release of Dream or Destiny with me.

You are invited to a book launch party, Saturday, October 18th, 2-4 PM. The party will be at Pepe’s Restaurante Mexicano, 6890 NW Loop 410.
View Map. Come enjoy refreshments, door prizes, and a reading from the book.

For those of you not near San Antonio, I’ll launch the book online with a blog book tour October 27th—November 14th. I’ll be visiting a variety of blogs for interviews, guest posts, and reviews. I’ll also be giving away copies of Dream or Destiny.

I still have a few open dates on the blog book tour. If you are interested in hosting me on your blog, leave a comment below or e-mail me.

Wherever you are, I hope you’ll celebrate with me! Thanks for your encouragement and support.

First Time Here? Welcome!

I’m Lillie Ammann, a Christian freelance writer and editor. Learn about me and A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye, search a detailed archives, or check out series and related posts. I love hearing from readers; read how I moderate and reply to comments. I hope you enjoy your visit and come back often. You can contact me or subscribe to this blog in an RSS reader or e-mail so you never miss updates. Welcome!

Tagged Times Two: Six Things

I have been tagged by Christine Duncan at Rule of Three to tell six book-related things about me and also by Chris Redding to tell six odd things about me. Excercising a little artistic license, I’m going to make all the book-related things about my new novel, which makes them odd, so I’ll answer both tags in this one post.

1. I wrote Dream or Destiny ten years ago and had an agent trying to sell the book for two years.
2. After I ended my relationship with the agent, I let the book sit around for a couple of years, then sold it to another publisher on my own.
3. Before the book was published, the publisher decided to focus on erotica, and I felt my book was no longer a good fit for that publisher.
4. After I cancelled the contract with that publisher, I let the book sit around for a couple more years, then sold to GASLight Publishing. Publication was delayed because of illness of GASLight’s principals.
5. When I updated the manuscript, I got input from several people (who are acknowledged in the book). Each person who read the book gave me suggestions to make it better.
6. I had to make revisions to account for changes that have occurred in society during the last ten years. For example, caller ID wasn’t common (maybe it didn’t even exist) ten years ago. Now I had to account for the fact that David and Marilee had no idea who made the threatening phone call they received.

I’m going to tag a few folks—if I’ve tagged someone who doesn’t participate in memes, just ignore the tag. Anyone who wants to play along is encouraged to do so. You can either write a post on your own blog or respond in comments. And you can tell six book-related things about you or six odd things about you. Or you can do like I did and tell six odd book-related things.

David Bowles at Writing the Westward Sagas

Grace Anne Schaefer at People of the Frozen Earth

James Doughty at Doughty Families

Jeanne Dininni at Writer’s Notes

Lisa Vella at Getting It Right for You

Pat Taylor at On the Wings of the Wind

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